7 jogging tours in and around Lübeck

The most beautiful running routes in Lübeck

I discovered jogging a few years ago. It clears my head, I don't need much more than decent shoes, and I can start spontaneously and practically anywhere – whether at home or traveling, alone or with others.

My name is Stefan, and I'm new to the LTM team. I recently moved from Berlin to Lübeck. It didn't take long for me to discover the jogging potential of my new adopted home. Our city is relatively flat, very green, and full of diverse landscapes and panoramas. The climate is generally pleasant even in the height of summer – quite unlike our capital, which turns into an oven every summer. Plus, here in Lübeck, you're never far from water. Many of our jogging routes run along rivers, lakes, or the Baltic coast. You can cool off in many places along the way, and why not combine your run with a few laps in the water? That's something you'll only find in a few other places.

For this post, we've compiled our team's most popular running routes. Ready, steady, go!

7 towers – 7 tips

The Old Town Tour – Sightseeing in Jogging Shoes

Total length: approx. 6 km

Die Strecke führt immer entlang des Wassers und größtenteils über Sandwege. Unterwegs bekommst du das gesamte Panorama der Lübecker Altstadtinsel zu sehen. Du passierst die beliebten Parkanlagen am Krähen- und am Mühlenteich, sowie die Zwillingstürme des Lübecker Doms. Über die Wallanlagen führt der Weg zum Stadtgraben und an ihm entlang zur Puppenbrücke.

An der Wassertreppe überquerst du die Trave und folgst ihr an den alten Hafenhallen vorbei bis zum Burgtor. Am östlichen Traveufer entlang führt der Weg zurück zum Ausgangspunkt. Sightseeing in Joggingschuhen!

The Canal Traven Loop – always along the water, following the old salt road

Route length: 9 km (with upgrade option to 11 or 17 km)

My personal favorite route. Here you always walk along the water, following the old salt road. Since the completion of the Stecknitz Canal in 1398, Lüneburg salt was shipped to Lübeck along this route.

Du beginnst am Skatepark Kanalstraße und folgst der Trave südwärts, passierst Krähenteich und Mühlenteich, Stadtgraben und Lachswehr, überquerst die Alte Trave und erreichst schließlich die Eisenbahnbrücke am Laubenweg. Bis hierhin und zurück wären es 9 km. Die nächste „Wendemöglichkeit“ weiter südlich wäre die Moislinger Brücke und die Streckenlänge betrüge damit insgesamt 11km. Der Abstecher lohnt sich jedoch, denn der kleine Umweg führt über die landschaftlich reizvolle Mündung der Trave in den Stecknitzkanal. Die nächste Wendemöglichkeit gäbe es dann erst an der Oberbüssauer Schleuse. Bis hierher und zurück nach Lübeck wären es 17 km.

The return journey takes place on the other side of the Kanaltrave – always with the twin towers of Lübeck Cathedral in view.

The Drägerweg route – by water and on land along the Amazon of the North

Total length: 5 km (plus swimming in the Wakenitz river – don't forget your swimwear!)

This little gem of a jogging route runs along the Drägerweg path by the Wakenitz River, which meanders broadly and gently through forests, meadows, and Lübeck's suburbs, thus living up to its reputation as the "Amazon of the North." With its small houses on waterfront properties and boat moorings, a comparison to a Swedish countryside idyll wouldn't be far-fetched.

You start at the canoe launch point by the Wallbrechtstraße bridge. The route leads mainly along sandy paths to the open meadows and pastures behind the Goldberg hill. In the warmer months, you should definitely treat yourself to a swim here. This spot is particularly unique on warm summer evenings. The Wakenitz River lies perfectly still and sparkles in the light of the setting sun. In the distance, the twin spires of Lübeck Cathedral rise above the treetops. The setting sun bathes everything in orange light as you paddle around.

Jogging in the Palinger Heide – running across the border

Total length: 5 – 7 km

A running route through two German states and across the former inner-German border. Besides these historical and geographical curiosities, you'll experience plenty of nature and two very different landscapes. The route follows flat terrain and consists mainly of forest paths. Starting in Eichholz, it leads through the Wesloer Forest, optionally extending to the Waldsee lake. Without local knowledge, the paths can be a little tricky to find on the first attempt. A small wooden bridge over the Landgraben ditch takes you into our neighboring state. You'll recognize it by an old paved path through a dense spruce forest. This path leads southwest back to Eichholz, passing the open, sandy meadows of the Palinger Heide – a particularly beautiful stretch in the evening light.

Pure nature – through the Schellbruch to Gothmund

Total length: 6 – 8 km

The diverse landscapes of the Schellbruch are best explored on foot, by bicycle, or even on foot. Along the way, you'll traverse ancient, shady deciduous forests, extensive reed beds and marshlands, meadows, and hedgerows. For most of the route, however, you'll follow the course of the Trave River.

The old fishing village of Gothmund, with its charming gardens and thatched roofs, makes a good starting point. Alternatively, a more direct route closer to town is the forest path that branches off from Schwarzer Weg near the waterworks. From there, the route leads under shady beech and oak trees to the banks of the Trave River and then towards Gothmund. On the embankment between the river and lagoons, surrounded by water, you'll experience a unique sense of vastness. The return journey follows the sunken lane, which passes the forest kindergarten, among other landmarks. This jogging route may not be exactly around the corner for most of us, but its scenic beauty makes it well worth the effort.

Meadows and fields – views south of St. Jürgen

Total length: approx. 5 km

In Lübeck's south, the view sweeps across a gently rolling landscape of meadows, fields, and hedgerows. This short jogging route leads mostly along sand and gravel paths on the outskirts of St. Jürgen, making it ideal for training at higher speeds. The starting point is at the Hochschulstadtteil train station. From there, the route follows the Nienmarker Landgraben canal and passes the Mönkhof estate. After a loop along Saturnstraße, it returns to the starting point. If you're looking for more, follow the Peter-Monnik-Weg trail through the UKSH campus. Beyond Ratzeburger Allee, the forests along the Wakenitz River offer endless opportunities for running and exploring.

Running with a sea view – Travemünde and the Brodtener Ufer

Route length: 8 – 11 km

Jogging with a sea view – what could be better? You can even do it twice – there and back. After all, you'll get a different perspective on the magnificent panorama of Lübeck Bay!

Von der Nordermole bis zur Verbindungstreppe bei Niendorf sind es immerhin 10 km hin und zurück. Die Runde bis zur Niendorfer Seebrücke schlägt schon mit 14 km zu Buche. Der Weg führt über die Travemünder Promenade und durch lichte Laubwälder entlang des Brodtener Steilufers. Dabei schweift der Blick zum blauen Horizont der Ostsee oder entlang des gegenüberliegenden Ufers der Lübecker Bucht. Ideale Bedingungen zum Erreichen eines Runner’s High. Zurück in Travemünde winken zahlreiche Möglichkeiten zur Belohnung – ob nun ein Bad in der Ostsee, ein Marzipan-Cappuccino bei Niederegger oder gar ein Spa-Programm in einem der Hotels.

Have we forgotten anything? Would you like to share your personal favorite routes with us? We look forward to your feedback!